Splash Pads

For fun relief from the summer heat, check out splash pads at these parks:

Scalzi Park, Stamford: http://www.stamfordct.gov/city-parks/pages/scalzi-park-cubeta-stadium

Mathews Park, Norwalk: http://www.norwalkct.org/index.aspx?NID=1337

Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parksinformation/lighthousepoint.asp

Things to Do Around Stamford

Hi Sisters,

I am creating a new series of posts on the Stamford Sisters blog to recommend Things to Do in and around Stamford. There are things we like to do each season, such as strawberry-picking, hayrides, sledding and ice-skating, and we can recommend the best places to go. There are also annual events we don't want to miss - such as the Oyster Festival, the Roundhill Highland Games, the Minks-to-Sinks giant tag sale, and more things you and your family may enjoy but never heard of.

This is a great place to share your favorite discoveries, too. Did you know you could get a free or discounted pass to attractions such as the Stamford Museum and Nature Center and Stepping Stones at the main library? Did you know that Michaels craft store and the Home Depot have free craft activities for kids? Did you know there's a free public swimming pool in Stamford? How about free Shakespeare plays performed outdoors during the summer?

I'll fill in the details and keep adding more, so check back periodically and email me with your suggestions.

All the best,
Lisa Kenny

PS Here are some of my favorite websites to explore for things to do around Stamford.
Look for tabs labeled "Calendar" or "Events."

http://www.stamfordplus.com/
http://stamford.dailyvoice.com/
http://connecticut.mommypoppins.com/events
http://stamfordrecreation.com/
http://chamberpg.com/stamford/leisure.html
http://www.visitconnecticut.com/fairfield_southwest.html
http://www.fairfieldcountyonline.com/
http://www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com/
http://blog.ctnews.com/culturecache/
http://www.ctvisit.com/
http://events.stamfordadvocate.com/
http://www.fergusonlibrary.org/
http://www.stamfordmuseum.org/
http://www.fciac.net/schedules.html

Upcoming events:
http://www.ctvisit.com/dontmiss/details/208

April
My favorite maternity, baby and young child consignment sale: http://www.tinytotsconsignment.com/shop.html

May
Giant tag sale in Wilton - Tons of everything - kids stuff, household items, furniture, all at bargain prices for a good cause: http://www.minkstosinks.info/

June
Pick-your-own Farms. I have visited Candee, Jones, and Silverman (includes a nice petting zoo for an additional charge). Picking fruit is a fun outdoor family activity but be prepared - it is not cheap. The fruit is more expensive than you'd expect, and farms often require a minimum. Plan to go with a group for even more fun.
http://www.pickyourown.org/CT.htm

Free Shakespeare performances (they accept donations but there is no obligation). Bring a blanket (some bring lawn chairs) and a picnic and make an evening of it. I definitely recommend it as a date night. I like to bring the kids to expose them to live entertainment and culture, but the plot can be difficult to follow with little ones, and it can run late into the night.
Shakespeare on the Sound: http://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/2013
Shakespeare on the Green: http://www.curtaincallinc.com/sog/

July
Fireworks - Unfortunately, fireworks have been cut from Stamford's budget this year. On the plus side, I read an article stating that a new corporation will sponsor the fireworks next year, 2014. To see fireworks this year, explore our neighboring towns: Darien, Norwalk, New Canaan (at Waveny Park), and Greenwich. There may be parking restrictions at these events, and some of them charge a fee.

See the fabulous Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY. Stories from the Book of Mormon come to life in a faith-building, unforgettable experience. You can also visit the Smith family farm, the Sacred Grove, the Four Corners churches and the original Printing Press in Palmyra: http://hillcumorah.org/Pageant/index.php

The Roundhill Highland Games: I enjoy taking my family every year to this festival celebrating Scottish culture and history with dancing, bagpipe bands, athletic competitions, races, and children's games and crafts. http://www.roundhill.org/

That's all for now! I welcome your suggestions! Email me at: patricia_kenny@hotmail.com

Great Places to Run

These parks have some good running paths for the area where you don't have to worry about traffic.

Cove Island Park
Distance: 0.95 mile loop
Terrain: Part asphalt, part packed dirt
Features: Right on Long Island Sound, beautiful scenery
Location: Cove Road and Weed Avenue in Stamford

Kosciuszko Park
Distance: 0.75 mile loop
Terrain: Packed dirt
Features: Mostly lit after dark, on Long Island Sound
Location: 200 Elm Croft Road

Mianus River Park
Distance: 2.6 mile nature trail
Terrain: Dirt trail
Location: Merriebrook Lane (Stamford) or Cognewaugh Road (Greenwich)
http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dbikes/108.pdf

Websites listing parks in Stamford
Major parks in Stamford: http://www.cityofstamford.org/content/25/52/138/164/711/94847.aspx
All parks in Stamford: http://www.cityofstamford.org/filestorage/25/52/138/164/711/ParksList07.pdf